Pune: Got Shockingly High Power Bill? You’re Not Alone—Punekars Troubled Due To MahaVitaran’s Surprise ‘Security Deposit’ Charges

Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) consumers in Pune have expressed their confusion and frustration over the billing policy after receiving additional bills from MSEDCL (MahaVitaran) demanding payment under the guise of a security deposit.

Along with the electricity bills for April and May, Mahavitaran, every year, issues separate bills to consumers for an additional security deposit. Consumers are given the option to pay this amount in six equal monthly installments. A message indicating this option is included on the security deposit bill.

Residents alleged that despite regular and timely payments, the additional amount has been included as a separate bill along with the regular monthly electricity bill.

Punekars speak up

Dipak Waghmare, a resident of Parwati, speaking to Free Press Journal, said, "I have never missed a single electricity bill payment, however, we have been asked to pay the extra bill of ₹250 as a deposit amount. This is very confusing and feels unfair. The dedicated staff is unanswerable. They are not able to justify the increment in the bill."

Raj Rathod, another consumer in Padmavati, highlighted, "My home is near Ranka Jewellers, Padmavati, but we haven't used it for the last 7 months. The authorities cut the electricity. However, recently I submitted the bill of ₹2380, which should be ₹980 as per the fixed amount of ₹140, even though the electricity is unused. Additionally, ₹3000 has been forced as a deposit amount. Authorities are not able to provide an appropriate reason behind this."

"The situation is raising a question mark over the transparency from MSEDCL regarding the rationale behind the sudden demand. We need clarification to understand how it has been calculated and applied to all consumers," he added.

MSEDCL clarifies after the row

Nishikant Raout, Public Relations Officer of MSEDCL, speaking to Free Press Journal, said, "Electricity consumers are charged an additional security deposit according to clause 13.1 of the MERC Electricity Supply Code Regulations, 2021."

He said, "At the end of every financial year, the security deposit of a consumer is recalculated based on the average electricity consumption of that consumer in the previous financial year. In the case of consumers who pay monthly electricity bills, the security deposit is fixed as twice the average monthly bill, whereas, for consumers who pay quarterly electricity bills, the security deposit is fixed as one-and-a-half times the average quarterly bill. Under the MERC Electricity Supply Code Regulations, 2021, Mahavitaran pays interest on the security deposit as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rates. Mahavitaran adjusts the interest amount in the consumers’ bills in the months of March or May every year."

The deposit amount changes every year as per the average billing amount of the year.

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